CCW Nerve

H

hube1236

New member
I read some related posts dealing with people carrying cocked and locked with 1911's, but my question is a little more fundalmental. When most of you were just starting out, how did you get up the nerve to load it.

I am an ex-anti hand. I did not grow up with hg's. I still am VERY respectful of my new toy/ tool. I have a very deep respect for life- especially my wife's, my step-daughter and mine. My family is travelling, so I thought I would use this opportunity to keep the gun loaded and near to get used to the feeling- it is usually trigger locked with ammo locked separately. I loaded the mag, chambered the round- auto cock. I panicked. I decocked it and feared that it would go off. What do I do, if I am a wuss, I can never project the confidence necessary to convince my wife that protection means accessibility.
 
Hube1236,
You just need to get a little more used to the pistol. You seem to be quite safety oriented, and that's a good thing. One thing you might do is unload the pistol then check again for a cartridge in the chamber, then practice with the controls. Again, make sure there isn't a round in the mag. Cock and uncock the pistol. Practice a firm grip on the hammer. Do this until you feel comfortable with the operation of your pistol. You'll get there.

Good luck,
Will

------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
I assume that by "de-cocking" you mean that you lowered the hammer with your fingers while you had the trigger held back? If so, you just did a MUCH more dangerous operation in five seconds than having a cocked and locked 1911 for a hundred years. The 1911 is a very safe firearm to have C&L, but if you don't feel comfortable with that yet, don't load the chamber! A 1911 is much more dangerous with the hammer down on a loaded chamber than with is C&L becuase there is nothing in-between the hammer and firing pin (unless you have the lawyer-friendly version). Just keep a loaded mag in it and when you feel the need, rack the slide and lock the safety. BTW, having a trigger lock on your gun when an adult isn't around is fine, but when you or your wife is around, it's a liability. A trigger lock will get you killed much faster than good gun-handling techniques. That brings me to my next point. Go to a personal protection class...you AND your wife. I don't mean you have to go to the $700 and up classes at a "ranch"...just a NRA approved "Handgun Safety and Personal Protection Course" this will do wonders for you. As for a mindset, you need to read "To Ride, Shoot Straight, and Tell the Truth" by Col. Jeff Cooper. He's THE 1911 guru, as well as THE defensive pistolcraft guru, and honestly, THE inventor of "modern pistol shooting." He also will infect you with a mindset of: A. You are a man and a man is naturally and morally bound to protect himself and family from all agressors. B. The man has deep within him a fighting spirit that women don't have. (no, he doesn't appear to be anti-female, but he will get your testosterone pumping! C. Given proper training and practice, along with a fighting mindset, you can survive just about any hell that you can imagine. The reason for all of this is so that you, a man protecting yourself and family,and walk with confidence in a dangerous world, knowing that you can unleash just as much hell as anyone else can, but because you've trained your mind and body, you will be more accurate and efficient, and will come out on top. No, this mindset doesn't mean that you're a crazed killer...not at all. What it does mean is that you put yourself to AT LEAST the level of your assailant, and rather than a victim, you are the predator. This spirit is what made our country rise from tyranny. No you are not Paladin, and no, you're not Robin Hood. You are a man defending your family...do you need another reason?


Sorry, sometimes I get on my soap-box and retend I'm at a rallying point for a great cause...then I press "Submit Now" ;)

[This message has been edited by Frontsight! (edited May 31, 2000).]
 
I agree with WLM. In many way you are probably in a better position then some of us who have grown accustomed to CCW. We have to constantly remind ourselves to be safe and vigilant when carrying. Your fear of your firearm is healthy. In time that will pass and be replaced by the safe gun handling techniques your fear forced you to learn.
The best way to become more confidant is to practice, practice, practice. Dry fire will help you learn your draw, aim, and trigger squeeze. Combine that with some range time and you have a good start.
I think the best thing I could recommend is to find a reputable defensive shooting school and get some professional help. Look for one that teaches the legal issues of CCW as well. Learn good habbits now and they will stay with you. Teach yourself bad habbits and you will have to overcome them later. Much more difficult.

------------------
"It is easier to get out of jail then it is a morgue"
Live long and defend yourself!
John 3:16
 
As a fellow recent newbie to CCW, I can relate to what you are experiencing. Having said that, though, I wouldn't advocate carrying until you are comfortable with it -- gun handling and use needs to become second nature if it is to be employed safely and effectively under stress. So how do you become comfortable? Practice. Work on safety first and foremost -- build good habits early on. Find a sensible and experienced shooter to help you out (select you teacher carefully, though). Time spent at the range will build confidence and familiarity with the function of your weapon and your ability to use it to hit your target.

As far as actually carrying goes, get yourself a quality holster -- start with something simple and inexpensive (e.g., Uncle Mike's, etc.). Talk to others (or read here) about modes / methods of carry. Don't spend a lot of money at first, because you may find that what works for others may not work for you. Wear your gun around the house for a while (it doesn't need to be loaded for that) until you're comfortable with it and can conceal it well. Practice presenting your UNLOADED weapon at home until it becomes second nature. Remember, safety first.

Finally, train some more. Discuss potential scenarios with your family so that everyone has a role if things go south.

Oh yes, and did I mention SAFETY FIRST?

I think that with the right preparation, you will find concealed carry to be more comforting than being unarmed. I encourage you to use your rights so that you don't lose them.

Good luck, and welcome!

Andrew
 
Good posts here.

However, I think it is important to point out that until you have made the decision that you have the ability to potentially take a life (use deadly force) to protect your life or that of a loved one, you should not carry a firearm for defense.

Remember that Confidence leads to Competence which leads to Control. Get the very best training you can afford and practice. Become familiar with your pistol and you will build the confidence and competence necessary to confidently carry a concealed weapon.

My recommendation is to save your pennies and take a 250 5-day pistol course at Gunsite. They are the ones who started it all and in my opinion, still do it best.

Tim
http://www.streetpro.com

Street Smart Professional Equipment
 
You are quite right to be very respectful of your new handgun. Like my grandfather told me when teaching me about chain saws: "As long as you are scared to death of this thing, you'll be all right."

Here's what I did the first day I carried: I put my loaded handgun on my hip, put a shirt on over it, and went to WalMart. I bought a few everyday things. Said a few pleasant words to the counterclerk, as is my custom. Walked out to the car and drove home.

No problem.

In other words, do something "normal" so you aren't preoccupied with the thought that you are armed. Carry it a few minutes that first day, and a few more minutes every day thereafter. Break in slowly, like an exercise routine.

Good luck, and welcome to the community of free men.

Regards,

Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
 
These are all excellent posts. When I bought my first 1911, I carried it around the house--empty but cocked and locked--for awhile before I ever took it out. Once I realized that the gun did just what it was designed to do and the hammer didn't fall, I started carrying it loaded outside of the house. It's now my favorite gun.

I might also add that it's reassuring to do a safety check. Ensure that the gun is unloaded first. Now check to make sure it's unloaded again. You can't be too safe. Then, with the thumb safety on, squeeze the grip safety and try to pull the trigger. If the hammer doesn't fall, then you know your thumb safety is good. Now, put the thumb safety off safe. Without putting pressure on the grip safety, pull the trigger. If the hammer doesn't fall, the thumb safety is in good working order.

I'd loose the habit real fast of de-cocking over a live round.

Keep your health fear of your gun. It will serve you well. My first and only motorcycle wreck happened when I stopped being afraid of it. That wreck put just enough fear/respect back in me that I was more careful and never had another one.

Hope you get to enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine. If not, don't give up entirely. Perhaps you'll want to start with something other than a 1911.

RJ



------------------
"Never turn your back on the crew."
 
hube1236: There are several good posts here.

First, get yourself some good instruction. At least NRA basic pistol or personal protection, if you haven't already. I strongly recommend that you go further than that, such as Ayoob's LFI-1, or Gunsite, or Thunder Ranch.

Second, practice with the gun at the range. If you are familiar with the gun, you won't be afraid of it.

Third, WHY IN THE WORLD DID YOU DECOCK ON A LOADED CHAMBER! There is NO REASON to do this with an M1911 and in fact is far more dangerous than cocked and locked.

Fourth, as others have suggested, carry the gun around the house in a holster, unloaded, cocked and locked. Do this for a couple weeks until you are convinced that the hammer won't fall.

Finally, if the M1911 scares you, get a different gun.

Jared
 
hube1236,

What gun do you have? Do you have a 1911? If not then cocked and locked does not apply to your gun! I hope you have a decocker and are using that feature to decock your pistol. Unless you have a 1911 it should be carried decocked (DA mode).

Your not a wuss maybe your just rushing into it? I would start off with a loaded mag and empty chamber. Continue to practice, shoot, and dry fire. When you get more experienced and more comfortable then put one in the chamber when you carry.

Shok
 
There is a recurring theme here...GO To SCHOOL! I think we have all said it in our posts. The NRA "Handgun Safety and Personal Protection" course is a great start. Find a good concientious instructor and take the class. I'm an instructor for that (they are two classes now) class, and I see so many scared people go through and become confident and safe gun owners. The ranches are for VERY serious gun owners, and you may decide to attend someday, but it's not a requirement for you to handle a gun safely and know hoew to use it. Most classes will have a legal portion as well...we actually have a local lawyer sit down with us for several hours and discuss local self-defense laws. Sorry I got a little weird last night...it was late :)

------------------
Frontsight!
=========================
"Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper
 
hube1236--FWIW, although I know that 1911s are quite safe with the hammer cocked and the safety on, cocked-and-locked nevertheless inspired a certain level of fear in me for a long time, despite my having grown up around guns. For more or less the same reason, when I first kept a DA revolver at home for personal defense, I left the first two chambers empty! This was an excessive response, but it was necessary in order for me to transition to greater confidence in the gun and myself. Interestingly, I've known others who've done exactly the same thing.

Anyway, I think it's better to take safety too far than not far enough, especially early in the familiarization process. Nobody's a wuss for being safety-conscious! Somebody told me once that fear can be good when it leads to wisdom. The wise use of firearms is invariably a safe use, so keep putting any fear you may have to good purpose and all will be well.

HTH. :)
 
Frontsight, dont aplogize, your post was right on the mark. And Hube, keep asking questions. Thats the best way to learn. Some people learn the hard way. You came here for answers and thats a smart move. Now, where are you from so we can get you and your wife into that class?

Tim :)

------------------
Washington DC does not allow citizens to own guns. Yes it's the murder capital of the U.S.

More gun laws are worthless, zero tolerence is the key !
 
Fear is meant to alert you to a danger. In this particular case, it is your lack of confidence in carrying a loaded, cocked & locked firearm. I know that I'm going to get flamed for this (my wife's uncle will be the first person to disagree with me as he carries a Browning Hi-Power) but I do not think that a 1911 type pistol is a good choice for concealed carry for the following reasons:<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI> Carrying cocked & locked, while safe, can cause the hammer to snag on cloths
<LI> Carrying with the hammer down and a round in the chamber is unsafe
<LI> Carrying condition three (hammer down & chamber empty) -- slow to bring gun into action although I understand that some military units are trained to chamber a round with unbelievable speed.</UL>To build confidence, I would recommend starting out with something that has manual safety -- maybe a Beretta or a {pre-agreement} S&W pistol (SIGs only have a decocker -- not an actual safety). The hammer is decocked and with the safety engaged, there is no way the gun will fire. Once you have confidence in carry that type of firearm, you can either stick with the gun that you are carrying or move on to the 1911 realizing that the Beretta (or S&W) gave you two levels of safety -- [1] the actual safety and [2] the hammer being down thus requiring a longer trigger pull for the first shot; and the 1911 also gives you two levels of safety -- [1] the thumb safety and [2] the grip safety.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
To all,

Thanks for your replys. I do not own a 1911, and have read the many posts on carrying c&l'ed. I was not asking, I know that using my decocker won't fire the cartridge, it is just one of those things like looking down a steep cliff- one knows the mountain won't suddenly crumble, but there can be that fear...

I am comfortable with "carrying" the gun chambered, but not in SA mode (good thing- from your posts)- I do not conceal as of yet as I am waiting the NRA class. Time and instruction will .
 
Hube, as you (and posters) said, take that NRA Course. But when you decide to carry, make certain that you've purchased a GOOD concealment holster and belt, and ALWAYS carry at least one extra loaded magazine. (If you carry a revolver, ALWAYS, carry at least six extra rounds. Murphy's Law always applies.) Plenty of info re holsters/belts on the Gear Site.

FWIW. J.B.
 
Hmmm. I guess I'm confused. So, you don't have an M1911. What kind of gun do you have? Sounds like something which is a DA/SA.

Were you afraid that it would go off when the hammer was cocked? Or were you afraid that the action of decocking would make it fire? Or both?

On the action of the decocker, here's a tip. Unload the gun, lock the action open. Verify that the chamber is empty and that the magazine well is empty. Close the chamber. Take a pencil and put it down the barrel. Pull the trigger. Note that the pencil will fly through the air several feet. Now, cock the hammer. Put the pencil back in the barrel. Decock using the decocking lever. Notice then pencil goes nowhere.

Finally, you said that you are waiting for an NRA class. Does this mean that you have had no instruction in firearms safety? If so, then yes, you should be afraid. If you haven't had any instruction in firearms safety, then you don't know the rules of the road. Get yourself to a class ASAP. In the meantime, go to the NRAs web site and review the safety information:
http://www.nrahq.org/safety/education/guide.shtml

If you've had no instruction on firearms safety, I recommend that you lock the gun away and leave it locked up until you get some training.

Jared
 
hube, next time, drop the mag and lock the slide back to eject the live round in the chamber. As a previous poster stated, lowering the hammer on a live round is risky business. As you gain more knowledge of handling firearms and experience your fear will grow to respect for firearms, which is where you want to be. Most folks that are anti-gun are so because they've been taught to fear the firearm. Take a gun safety course or two and throw in a CCW class for good measure if you think that'll help. You didn't mention anything about experience at a shooting range yet so if you haven't already, GET SOME RANGE TIME. Don't be shy about asking other shooters at the range questions as my personal experience is that they are usually a friendly, knowledgeable group that aren't shy about sharing what they know. All these things will help you become more comfortable and a safer firearm owner. Good luck and I hope you enjoy many years of firearm ownership....Dan in GA
 
Like FUD said, I don't recommend SA for a first gun. A safety is ok, but I prefer beginners use Decockers or DAO.

If yer looking for a great beginner's gun, look at the Ruger P-95.

Ben

------------------
Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top